In current construction undertakings, concrete
lift drawings are very important documents. They provide assurance that any
construction will be placed in the formwork accurately and, more importantly,
finished as designed. These drawings simplify difficult designs by providing
clear, straightforward instructions for construction workers to adhere to and
they act as a technical illustration on how concrete should be placed in a
structure and its accuracy and effectiveness during construction.
With experience in concrete lift drawings, estimation detailing, and virtual construction companies
like NaRDil can produce drawings that augment the overall accuracy of the
project and very conveniently ease the lives of the construction teams. Let us
discover how concrete lift drawings work and why they are crucial in
contemporary constructions.
What are concrete lift drawings?
Concrete lift sketches or concrete elevation
sketches are the architectural or engineering sketches that consist of specific
measurements and dimensions for each concrete structural component of a
building. They are also popularly referred to as concrete dimensional drawings or
concrete lift drawings.
These drawings are imperative in providing the
sequence of operations involved in carrying out the concrete pouring task in
layers or lifts. These drawings greatly assist in ensuring structural soundness
and compliance with construction regulations.
The following elements are usually present in
these drawings:
●
Dimensions: These are the specific measurements
of concrete elements such as slabs, beams, columns, walls, footings, and the
like.
●
Positioning: This helps to understand the
precise placement and arrangement of these elements in the building or at the
project location.
●
Elevation: This element clarifies every height
and level information for concrete components.
●
Tolerances: Indicates the permissible
differences in measurements, which play an important role in ensuring proper
alignment and fitting during the course of construction.
Who is involved in creating
Concrete lift drawings?
In the creation of concrete lift drawings,
there is the collaboration of various professionals, such as:
1. Structural engineers design the overall
building's structural design and its foundations so that it is safe and stable.
2. Detailers break down the engineer's scheme into
smaller parts while paying special attention to how each part would be
constructed on the site.
3. Project managers work to ensure that the lift
drawings are always in line with the overall project schedule and budget.
4. Field supervisors and foremen are the very
people on the site who utilize the drawings. They then offer feedback, which is
usually very insightful, on whether or under what conditions these drawings can
be built with ease.
How can Concrete lift drawings
benefit construction accuracy?
Concrete lift drawings cannot be used in
construction practices without the following enhancements aimed at improving
actual site implementation:
1.
Clarity and Detail
Effective lift drawings are full of
information and specifications, such as the position of formwork and layout of
reinforcement bars so as to reduce or eliminate any confusion and mistakes on
site.
2.
Sequencing
All lift drawings should include a proper
sequence of operation with clear indication of areas to be poured and the order
of pouring. This prevents compromising the stability of structures and averts
hitches in the course of execution of the work.
3.
Coordination Across Trades
A
good lift drawing should encompass all the requirements from different trades,
such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, ensuring that their systems are
embedded or placed in the slab prior to the pour of the concrete and no
concrete systems the subsystems delivered.
4. Improved precision
Managing
complexity in large projects or consolidated lifts allows to minimize the risk
of mistakes associated with formwork, its alignment, and rebar placement
inside.
5. Reduced Material Waste
These drawings can outline the clear
quantities of the different materials needed at every phase of the construction
and manage the excess use of concrete and steel reinforcement, therefore making
the process affordable.
6.
Avoidance of Cold Joints
The sequence and timing of pours are
predetermined in concordance with lift drawings so as to minimize cold joints.
As such, the structural integrity of the building is enhanced and the
durability of the building further improves.
NaRDil’s expertise in lift drawing solutions provides
concrete lift drawings that are both technically accurate and enable an
efficient workflow in construction projects.
Becoming the Hub for Other
Concrete Subcontractors
Concrete lift drawings not only help your main
construction crew but also become a major point of coordination for other
subcontractors that work on the project.
●
Embed other systems: Plumbing, electrical, and
HVAC trades often have to embed parts of their systems in concrete. Lift
drawings ensure that these are embedded in the correct sequence and at the
correct location.
●
Reduced rework: Subcontractors can install their
work with confidence, such as conduit, ductwork, or piping, knowing that it has
been included in the concrete structure and therefore less likely to incur
costly rework or delays.
●
Smoother Work Flow: Since accurate and clear
lift drawings allow the subcontractors to keep their work in synch with the
concrete pours, there will be a better flow of construction.
●
Real-time Problem-Solving: In case a problem
arises, the subcontractors will refer to the lift drawings for more defined
clarification. They then are an important point of reference at site meetings
and reviews.
NaRDil strives to be
your one-stop partner for your concrete lift drawing. Our detailed drawings
help to bring various teams together in an unprecedented way for better
operational coordination.
Conclusion
Concrete lift drawings are indispensable for
the accuracy and success of a construction project in its execution. By
highlighting details, which can be intricate in designs, these drawings allow
construction teams to execute stepwise instructions that help eradicate
mistakes, stay on schedule, and provide quality services all at the same time.
To achieve better balance and productivity in
carrying out construction projects, NaRDil incorporates these lift sketches
into concrete project works. Whether for process improvement or new project
inception, NaRDil is ready to assist with its detailing estimate processes, coordination of BIM, and some other general construction services.